NEW DELHI, Jan 12: India will send more than 400 athletes to take part in all 15 disciplines at 9th South Asian Federation (SAF) games to be held in Islamabad from March 29 to April 7.

"We have so far drawn up a list of about 400 athletes but the number is likely to go further up as we will take part in all 15 disciplines," an official of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said on Monday.

Besides India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives will take part in the games. The SAF games are clashing with Indian cricket team's tour of Pakistan, which will comprise three Tests and five one-day internationals, starting March 1.

But IOA official said there was no chance of rescheduling SAF games just because cricket series might hog the limelight. "The dates are final, and we knew very well that cricket series was going to take place on almost the same dates," he said. "There is a lot of enthusiasm for the games in Pakistan."

He said Pakistani organisers were eagerly waiting to receive list of Indians so that they could go ahead with their preparations. "They have informed us that even uniforms for non-athletes, like jury members, were ready and they want us to send names of officials at the earliest," he said.

The last date for sending list by athletes' names is Feb 18. The official said a review meeting of SAF games would be held in Islamabad Jan 31 to take stock of athletes' entries and overall conduct of the event. IOA would send a four-five member delegation to this meeting.-PPI